stronghold

/ˌstrɔŋˈhoʊld/

/ˈstrɒŋhəʊld/

Other forms: strongholds

A stronghold is a building or other structure that is safe from attack. A fortress is a perfect example of a stronghold.

A castle or fort surrounded by stone walls and moats is one kind of stronghold; they are built to keep the people or valuables inside them safe from invading armies. You might build a stronghold of driftwood and rocks around your prized sand sculpture on the beach, or even a figurative stronghold around yourself — to guard against having your feelings hurt.

Definitions of stronghold

1. noun

   a strongly fortified defensive structure
   synonyms: fastness

   types:

   bastion, citadel

   a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle

   blockhouse

   a stronghold that is reinforced for protection from enemy fire; with apertures for defensive fire

   hold

   a stronghold

   donjon, dungeon, keep

   the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

   redoubt

   an entrenched stronghold or refuge

   acropolis

   the citadel in ancient Greek towns

   kremlin

   citadel of a Russian town

   type of:

   defence, defense, defensive structure

   a structure used to defend against attack